Kelly Ripa introduces Michael Strahan as permanent co-host on 'Live!'

Katy Winn / AP PhotoFormer NFL football player Michael Strahan, right, has been expected to be named co-host of "Live!" beside Kelly Ripa for nearly a month.

NEW YORK (AP) — Kelly Ripa introduced her new co-host this morning — and it's Michael Strahan.

Ripa announced it this morning, with Strahan jogging in and picking his co-host up in a bear hug.

Although producers of "Live! With Kelly" had not commented on who would fill the void left by Regis Philbin when he retired last November, Strahan had long been said to have landed the job.

Strahan, 40, is a former NFL star with the New York Giants and currently a host of "Fox NFL Sunday."

The syndicated weekday talk show has left Ripa without a permanent co-host since Philbin departed the show. Since then, she has welcomed 59 guest co-hosts, several of whom, including Strahan, were under consideration for the permanent job. Strahan has made several guest appearances this year.

Strahan's broadcasting career has also included a starring role on a short-lived Fox sitcom, "Brothers," in 2009.

Philbin, the original "Live!" host, exited at age 80 after presiding more than 28 years alongside several co-hosts.